Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Adding Automatic Lines.
Word includes a sometimes-helpful little feature that allows you to add lines in your documents, without removing your fingers from the keyboard. All you need to do is start at the left margin of a new line, type at least three characters, and then press Enter. The result is a line based on the characters you typed. You can use the following characters:
You can actually type more than three of each character, if you desire. Word doesn't care that much—the only requirement is that there is at least three of them, and they begin at the left margin. What Word does is to add a border of the specified type to the bottom of the paragraph. If you want to later delete the line, the only way to do so is to remove the paragraph, or choose Borders and Shading from the Format menu.
If you can't automatically add lines on your system, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The AutoFormat As You Type tab of the AutoCorrect Options dialog box.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (622) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Adding Automatic Lines.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access) with VBA programming, using it for writing macros, automating Office applications, and creating custom applications. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2013 today!
Got singular lines at the bottom or top of a page? These are often referred to as widows and orphans, and Word allows you ...
Discover MoreIf you are a WordPerfect user, you may be very familiar with the block-protect feature and wonder if there is a similar ...
Discover MoreThere are times that you just want to begin a paragraph (perhaps a heading) at the top of a new page. Word allows you to ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2018-10-18 01:44:19
Giselle
There's no tools menu in Word!!!!
2018-04-06 13:18:48
James
Thanks, this was helpful!
2017-04-27 08:04:04
Anon Y Mouse
Where is the tools menu..??
2016-01-02 04:41:25
leo
i want to know whether is there a way where there is a line drawn automatically after i finish 16 lines in a word file ?
2015-05-18 23:07:07
boe
hi i want to change the line colour? can u help me?
2014-07-15 04:43:38
Sandar Min
actually , i need to know how in word 2010.but no problem. i find it. thank u.
2013-12-26 12:26:31
jayant kajbaje
i want to make agreement & four times same name & figure type in paragraph i want to avoid the same, what can i do
2013-03-06 12:35:54
pbasch
Absolutely correct, and a fun feature. One thing, though. I just found that simply deleting the paragraph, or using "Format Borders and Shading" to eliminate the paragraph border, doesn't work, if you highlight only the paragraph with the border! If you do that, Word assigns the border to the next paragraph up. The only way I could get rid of the paragraph border was to highlight the entire document and use "Format Borders and Shading", and select "None". Seems like the way you describe it makes more sense, because you might want a border somewhere else in the document; but I haven't found that it works that way.
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: 
Comments